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Seized animals used as live props at Tulum cenote

Tulum, Q.R. – On Thursday, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) along with the support of the Municipal Police, seized seven animals that were being held in a cenote.

Authorities were alerted by a couple who referred to themselves as environmentalists. When authorities arrived, they found three boa snakes, two cats, a spider money and a large 2.5 meter long crocodile gagged and stuffed inside a wooden box.

The animals were begin held in a small trailer in, what Profepa called, an unsuitable environment at Dos Ojos cenote just north of Tulum. One of the animal owners said they used the animals as stage props for live videos.

Those responsible for having the animals could not prove the required documentation for having them. Authorities arrested all five people for possessing the six-month-old jaguar, 2-year-old cougar along with the other animals. The animals were all removed and the vehicle used for transporting them was also confiscated.